Breast: 5 Year Survival Rates

Stage 1 

The tumour is 2 cm or smaller and has not spread outside the breast. A small number of cancer cells may have spread to lymph nodes in the armpit. They are often addressed with adjuvant therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiation, after the primary tumour has been removed to help prevent cancer recurrence

Stage 2  

The tumour is between 2 and 5 cm and has spread to 1 to 3 lymph nodes in the armpit, or the tumour is larger than 5 cm but has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage 3  

The tumour cancer has spread to 4 to 9 (or more) lymph nodes and may have invaded the chest wall or skin of the breast.

Stage 4 (Metastatic)

The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain.

How often do you check your breasts?

According to Breast Cancer Now, a staggering 50%+ of UK women do not check their breast regularly for potential signs of breast cancer. Furthermore, 11% of women have reported never having checked their breasts.

According to a Gitnux 2024 report, 91% of women have masturbated at some point in their lives and 45% of women masturbate at least once a week. 

How come woman are more likely to masturbate than check their breasts for cancer? This fact defies logic and intellect!

Question: You don't need a medical degree to check your breasts, chest and armpits, so why are so many women (and men) not having a quick prod? If you had a pain in your leg, would you not prod to discover if there is a worrying lump? 

So why don't you press and prod your breasts? 

Secondary breast cancer...

Secondary breast cancer is where a cancer that started in the breast spreads to other parts of the body, typically the liver, lungs, brain, or bones. Be aware that when breast cancer is first diagnosed it may already have become a secondary cancer. This type of cancer can't be cured and treatments mostly focus on pain management. The most common areas breast cancer spreads to are the:

  • Bones

  • Lungs

  • Liver

  • Brain

Other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes in the chest, armpit or neck area, the skin or abdomen (belly), may also be affected. The most important thing you can do is prod and press you breasts (and armpits, etc.) on a regular basis. Please don't ignore this and end up with secondary cancer.

Key takeaways...

Just a 30-60 seconds prod can save you a world of heartache and anguish. Here's what to look for: 

  • A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit.
  • Changes in the size or shape of the breast.
  • A change in skin texture i.e. puckering or dimpling of the skin.
  • A change in the colour of the breast - the breast may look red or inflamed.
  • Rash, crusting or changes to the nipple.
  • Any unusual discharge from a nipple.